Posie's Blog. Tales of island life on a hebridean hill farm

Posie's Blog. Tales of island life on a hebridean hill farm

Wednesday 10 October 2007

Horny Issues...







One delighted happy farmer has gone off on a shopping trip. Now before you all get too excited and wonder where on earth I managed to find a male who likes shopping I must spill the beans and come clean, it most certainly isn’t a ‘girlie’ shopping expedition, no, he has gone to the auction market to purchase some tups for the mating season that will soon be upon us. That spoilt all the fun then. It is probably the nearest he gets to shopping, apart from supermarket jaunts.

At the very last moment he got the good news that the ban on the movement of livestock, in the wake of the recent foot and mouth crisis, has been lifted, and he will at last be able to purchase some much needed tups and have them delivered to the island in time for the mating season among the sheep.

I came down the stairs, bleary eyed, this morning to find the front door wide open; did I really leave it wide open all night long? After a few seconds of major panic, I realised my son was up before me and was out and about taking pictures of the beautiful sunrise, layers of mist rising from the sea, encircling the hills, the sky bursting with orange rays and purple clouds. The air filled with the sound of those stags still roaring in the background, which I have decided can be compared to the sounds that used to bellow from my brother when he had one too many after a good night out, in his younger years. Must check with my sister in law, bet he still bellows like a stag now!! It certainly takes any romanticism right out of yesterday’s blog then!

In among the Highland cows there was an agitated visitor of the horned variety this morning. One of those stags was frantically pacing up and down, trying to find a way out of the field as the Highland cows eyed him suspiciously, all that is except for Rainbow, one of the calves, who took a shining to the stag and followed him about the field out of curiosity. The mist descended, and then he was gone, which is just as well, as next moment one of the gamekeepers and his partner turned up for a coffee on their way to the Colonsay ferry.

Until next time…

17 comments:

Chris Stovell said...

I'm looking forwards to reading about how the Happy Farmer gets on - glad that you are able to continue with the business in hand. Lovely photos.

Ps I don't know how you feel about awards but if you would like to collect a Bodacious Blogger award there's one on my blog for you.

Hannah Velten said...

Hope the Happy Farmer comes back with the required goods - glad to hear that next season's lambing won't be disrupted - just in time, as you say. I liked the way you added 'among the sheep' when talking about the mating season! Have you got any more pics of the lovely coooos on your farm?? Mootia x

Anonymous said...

Stags are my most favourite of all wildlife. That photo of a stag and cattle is beautiful.

Great news that the ban has been lifted. We have to get around 60 gimmers for the next season and it's good news that we can at least go ahead and buy them.

Crystal xx

Casdok said...

Thats good news and i love the pictures!

Chris Stovell said...

Ps Have 'pm'ed you re the award thing.

Maddy said...

I'd trade your 'view' for mine any day.
Best wishes

Suffolkmum said...

I love stags too. So you have a talented photographer in the making - how nice that he appreciates what's on his doorstep!

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

what utterly beautiful photos Rosie. just love them. Once camped up high in the Cairngorms and heard the rut - primeval noise (like the night out image though). Its also rather lovely that your son is up and about like that.

toady said...

Just catching up. Love the boat house in your previous blog and that sounds like a wonderful day - seeing otters too. You are thoroughly spoilt and I'm dead jealous.

Norma Murray said...

Excellent news about the tups. Remembering one of your previous blogs, I had been wondering what you were going to do about new stock.

Pipany said...

Another beautiful blog Posie. Your home sounds so beautiful and those pictures are stunning. What makes your blogs special for me is that you so clearly love your life and it comes across. xx

laurie said...

i think i'd enjoy tagging along on a shopping trip of that sort.

@themill said...

Your boy has talent....

Pondside said...

I've finally caught up on your last three blogs - great reading! I love to read about your everyday life, which seems very exotic to me. The old boat houses are indeen beautiful and will take lots of time and energy next summer! I loved the description of your friend Hoot's burial - great send off, not unlike a Cape Breton wake and burial.

muddyboots said...

l do like stags & love to see them, not many round here though, we get the odd one occasionally when poachers chase them up from Wassand Hall. what a relief with the lifting of movement ban. daft especially as you are so far away from the out break. plain daft..

snailbeachshepherdess said...

Hi...just popped in for a read and found three blogs and those wonderful pictures, that deer and the calf...gorgeous. Lovely story of Hoot, one of the characters you will never forget.

Un Peu Loufoque said...

Ah that sounds a good sort of shopping better than a trot around tescos anyway!